October 14, 2020

​King Manasseh was a piece of work. He was the poster boy for evil. He started when he was twelve years old and for 55 years, he committed every atrocity and every blasphemy that he could think of. He undid all the good work that his father had done. Then he dove headlong into idolatry, omens, and evil. He put profane altars into God’s own house. He sacrificed his son in the fire. He filled Jerusalem with blood. He led God’s people into such apostasy that their sin was worse than the nations that God had driven out.

Manasseh defied and rebelled against God for decades! What can you do with someone like that?

God was patient. God kept reaching out. And, when he was ignored, he reached out again.

God is patient like no other.

How long are we willing to put up with defiance? How long will we reach out to someone who refuses to listen? God’s patience is awe-inspiring. Is also brings us to our knees in in worship. God is patient with us. When we sin, he reaches out. When we ignore him, he reaches out again. When we defy him. When we commit the same sins over and over again. When we ignore him, insult him, and shame him. He is patient with us.

God’s patience with Manasseh illustrates God’s grace and the depth of his love. Think about the depth of Manasseh’s sin as we read this text this morning. Then be in awe of God’s grace when you realize that God forgave him! We understand God’s judgment. People deserve it. What brings us to our knees in worship is God’s forgiveness. He sent his Son to forgive us. Jesus died to forgive even the worst of sinners.